Community Corner
‘Never Stop Learning,’ Says Rhode Island Fire & Rescue Chief
"If we want to be good at what we do then we don't have a choice, because every day [can] bring something new," said Chief Scott Partington.
First responders are a vital part of our communities, keeping us safe and playing an integral role in daily life. Patch and T-Mobile have partnered on a Ride-Along series to showcase the important work these departments and individuals do every day.
We had the opportunity to speak with Chief Scott Partington of the Narragansett Fire & Rescue Department to learn more about the department, life as a first responder and the impact of their work.
Responses have been edited for clarity and length.
Can you tell us a bit about the Narragansett Fire & Rescue Department?
Chief Partington: We are a full-time career fire department made up of a total of 44 members. We provide fire protection and prevention, hazardous materials operations, marine rescue, EMS and fire code enforcement services to the community. We respond to over 3,800 calls for service annually, about two-thirds of which on average are EMS. We have three fire stations geographically placed at north, south and center areas of our town, where we operate 24/7, 365 days per year.
When it comes to maintaining Fire, EMS, Rescue and other public safety protections, the Town of Narragansett has some unique geographical challenges. We are long and lean with approximately a total area of 38 square miles, about 14 square miles of which is land and about 24 sq. miles (63 percent) is water. We have the Narragansett Bay to our east, the Atlantic Ocean to our south, and Point Judith Pond, Pettaquamscutt and Narrow Rivers to the west.
The town is predominantly a seasonal beachfront community with a year-round population of about 16,000 people, but just under half is comprised of college students who attend the University of Rhode Island in the neighboring town nine months out of the year. The town's three state beaches and one town beach collectively average over 14,000 visitors per day. Coupled with the influx of visitors and tourists who attend our other attractions and special events, seasonal transient populations during these summer months can easily increase to 50,000 people visiting our community on any given day.
What does a typical day look like for a firefighter in Narragansett?
Chief Partington: A typical day may include responding to emergency calls within the community; training; maintaining apparatus, equipment and supplies; performing community outreach education; fire code enforcement and prevention activities such as property site inspections; and other administrative duties.
Can you tell us a bit about your career and what inspired you to pursue this line of work?
I grew up in the City of Pawtucket, the son of a Pawtucket firefighter. I was exposed to it early on and became especially interested in the emergency medical side of the profession, as well as the hands-on physical demands of firefighting.
I always had a desire to help people; watching my father, mother, and others interact and assist people within our community inspired me to want to do the same. I took an EMT class and began applying to fire departments. I was later fortunate enough to be hired by the Town of Narragansett, and the rest is history.
What do you enjoy most about being part of the Narragansett community?
Chief Partington: It's a beautiful seaside beachfront community with a lot of history. It is small enough where you can get to know many of the year-round residents but yet busy and large enough to be operationally challenging due to geographical and demographical makeup, especially in the summer months.
I also function as the Town's Emergency Management Director. I am responsible for the planning, response, recovery and mitigation of emergencies that may impact our community, such as hurricanes, severe weather, public health emergencies such as COVID-19 and other natural or manmade disasters. Doing so has really allowed me to interact even further with the public.
Can you share a memorable experience from your time with the department?
Chief Partington: The most memorable experiences have been all the many times I was able to directly assist people in their time of need and, in doing so, was able to make things a little bit better. Now I find great reward in directing, supporting, and leading an incredible group of men and women within our Department. I am very proud of the work they do day in and day out.
What advice would you offer to someone considering becoming a first responder?
Chief Partington: Let me share an excerpt from a speech I delivered in June 2024 as the Keynote Speaker for Recruit Class 31 Graduation Ceremony at the RI Fire Training Academy in Exeter, RI:
Strive not to be merely a success, but rather to be of value. People who are unwilling to do things of value that need to be done to succeed have no place on [a first responder] team.
Firefighters not only respond to emergencies but also actively engage with their communities. They participate in community events, conduct fire safety inspections and provide assistance during natural disasters. They are often seen as trusted members of the community who are always ready to lend a helping hand, no matter the nature of the incident.
Never stop learning. If we want to be good at what we do, then we don’t really have a choice, because every day has the potential to bring something new. Always be the “willing,” not the unwilling.
More About the Narragansett Fire Department
The Narragansett Police Department offers several ways for individuals to get involved and explore first responder opportunities:
- Community Programs: The Department offers several free community programs focused on health, safety and fire prevention. Of note, there are quarterly CPR classes available to the public, as well as the option to organize a group CPR class. There is also a fire safety education program for children and free blood pressure screenings available at all three stations.
- Recruitment Page: If you’re interested in becoming a Narragansett Fire/Rescue Department firefighter, application and eligibility information is available on the Department’s recruitment page.
- Student Ride-Along Program: Students who are interested in EMT work and meet certain eligibility criteria can apply to go on a ride-along with the Department to gain firsthand experience in the field. Student ride-alongs are conducted Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM during primary rescues.
For more information, visit the Narragansett Fire Department website.
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Get more information about T-Priority and the first responder discounts here.
